America's biggest pet peeves

This Harris Poll asked participants to choose between sets of two common annoyances, to see which is worse in each set. Here are the things that annoy people the most.

By Dana Guthrie

on May 6, 2014 2:43 PM

Photo: Blend Images/Ronnie Kaufman/Larry Hirshowitz/Getty Images

Image 1of/15

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 15

A Harris Poll released May 5 surveyed 2,234 adults online between March 12 and 17to find out which aspects of social life bother them the most. Here are the results.

What’s worse: Tailgaters or people who drive too slowly in the passing lane?

Overall, more drivers hate being tailgated, the survey found, and 58 percent of women also think road-ragey people riding on their back bumper annoys them the most.
Men, on the other hand, can’t stand it when a slow driver hangs out in the left lane.
People younger than 49 were slightly more likely to dislike slowpokes, while older respondents dislike tailgaters more. less

A Harris Poll released May 5 surveyed 2,234 adults online between March 12 and 17 to find out which aspects of social life bother them the most. Here are the results.

So, 85 percent of people hate straightforward jerks more than people you don’t know are total jerks because they’re so passively aggressive about it? Fine. Whatever. If that’s the way you feel, we’re not going to try to argue with you. less

What’s worse: Openly rude people, or passive aggressive people?

So, 85 percent of people hate straightforward jerks more than people you don’t know are total jerks because they’re so passively ... more

What’s worse: People who use all caps in e-mails, or people who are overly terse?

Sixty percent of survey respondents would rather have a brief, slightly rude e-mail than an e-mail in all caps. But what about a brief, slightly rude e-mail that is also in all caps? less

What’s worse: People who use all caps in e-mails, or people who are overly terse?

Sixty percent of survey respondents would rather have a brief, slightly rude e-mail than an e-mail in all caps. But what ... more

Photo: Laflor, Getty Images

What’s worse: People who use all caps in e-mails, or people who... Photo-6266104.85307 - Beaumont Enterprise

Image 4 of 15

What's worse: People who complain about the heat, or people who complain about the cold?

Sorry, Houston, 57 percent of people think it's more annoying to hear people say "It's hotter than a cat on a hot tin roof" than "it's colder than a room full of ex-wives." less

What's worse: People who complain about the heat, or people who complain about the cold?

Sorry, Houston, 57 percent of people think it's more annoying to hear people say "It's hotter than a cat on a hot tin ... more

Photo: Scott Hortop, Getty Images

What's worse: People who complain about the heat, or people... Photo-6266106.85307 - Beaumont Enterprise

Image 5 of 15

What’s worse: Misuse of common words or unsolicited editing?

Journalists and other writers rejoice – more people hate hearing or seeing misuse of words (such as its and it’s or there and their) more than receiving unsolicited advice on their own grammar. The most decisive groups are Millenials (62 percent) and women (60 percent). less

What’s worse: Misuse of common words or unsolicited editing?

Journalists and other writers rejoice – more people hate hearing or seeing misuse of words (such as its and it’s or there and their) more ... more

In all but one of the groups surveyed, respondents said they prefer bragging over complaining on Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites. In the over-68 age group, however, 52 percent of respondents said excessive bragging is more annoying. Sour grapes, anyone? less

What’s worse: Social media complainers, or social media braggers?

In all but one of the groups surveyed, respondents said they prefer bragging over complaining on Facebook, Twitter and other social media ... more

The vast majority of respondents in all categories think kids running wild is worse than getting unwanted advice on how to maintain said wild children. Even in the group of people with kids, 75 percent think disruptive children is the worst. less

What’s worse: Unruly children or unsolicited parenting advice?

The vast majority of respondents in all categories think kids running wild is worse than getting unwanted advice on how to maintain said wild ... more

Slightly more people (51 percent) would rather receive no reply from you than receive a reply-all response. The results differ among Millenials and women, however. More people in these groups are more annoyed when they don’t get an e-mail reply from someone. less

What’s worse: Reply-all e-mails, or people who don’t reply at all?

Slightly more people (51 percent) would rather receive no reply from you than receive a reply-all response. The results differ among ... more